For Good Health & Long Life

BLOG 50: TOENAIL PROBLEMS

YOU CAN HAVE HEALTHY TOENAILS WITHOUT USING MEDICATIONS THAT HAVE UNWANTED SIDE EFFECTS

CATEGORY: 1: Simple Malnutrition

RECOMMENDED SUPPLEMENT: Acidophilus

Summertime is here, and feet are back on display, but they are not usually the prettiest parts of the human form.

One thing that keeps feet out of the “pretty” category is fungal infections of the toenail and the nail bed. These infections result in misshapen nails that can be up to ten times as thick, are hard and brittle, darkly discolored, smelly, and painful. In really bad cases the nail may separate from the bed.

Note: I hate to be the one to tell you this, but did you ever wonder why fungal nails thicken and become hard, brittle, and smelly? That is caused by the poop from the invading fungal microbes, and then their tiny dead bodies as they die off. The organic debris builds up over time and raises the nail away from the bed. That in turn causes pain as the nail is pushed into the surrounding skin.

These symptoms can lead to painful ingrown toenails and people averting their eyes, necessitating a trip to the podiatrist. These microbes can show up in fingernails too, but this blog focuses on toenail fungus. The treatment works as well on fingernails; just use disposable gloves instead of socks to cover the nails.

There is a natural way to control toenail fungus that requires only minimal upkeep and has no side effects. This treatment works faster if you attack the problem both internally and topically with probiotic Acidophilus. You will also need vitamin E oil, or a substitute like baby oil, along with a good metal nail file, and a pair of old socks. Try to get E oil, because it seems to help with softness and pliability over other oils.

ACIDOPHILUS CAPSULES

Acidophilus is the best probiotic for controlling fungal infections. There’s a little bit of work to the process, but the payoff is big, as it will keep your toenails looking normal without threatening your health.

The common medications available for fighting fungal infections under nails carry with them side effects such as, nausea, stomach pain and cramping, diarrhea, itching rash and hives, and damage to taste buds. There is also a larger danger of harming your liver after protracted use.

Internal Use

For one week only, take one Acidophilus capsule each morning with a cup of water. Take it fifteen minutes before you eat anything. After the week is up, stop taking it internally, and use it only topically as described in the next section.

At the same time you begin taking Acidophilus internally do the following:

Always wash your feet and dry thoroughly before you begin.

With a spoon, mix the contents of two Acidophilus capsules with several drops of Vitamin E oil. (You can use another oil like baby oil if you can’t get Vitamin E, but E works best.) You will have to eyeball it until you get used to doing it.

Ideally, you want the mixture to be the consistency of a light paste—runny enough to flow off a spoon onto your toenails, but not so runny that it won’t stay put on the nails. Make sure the mixture completely covers the entire nail surface to the edges and under the top of the nail as well.

You will have to sacrifice one or two pairs of socks to this process. Cut them off below the ankle. After putting a dab of the mixture on each nail and spreading it around, roll the socks back so that you can get your toes in first, then slowly unroll them up your foot. This way will prevent your losing too much of the mixture to the inside of the sock as you pull it on.

You will still need regular maintenance treatments to change the color back and return your toenails to fully normal. To that end, continue using the mixture topically twice a week for three months. After that, once a week should be enough maintenance to keep the fungus away. If it returns, start the treatment over with a week of internal and topical use.

Always wash your feet and dry thoroughly each time before you apply the mixture.

First Week:

a. Use the Acidophilus mixture daily for first week, while you are also taking a daily capsule internally. But don’t try to file, cut, or trim your toenails this first week. Leave them alone except for this first step: Wash your feet, apply mixture, put on socks, done.

b. Apply Acidophilus mixture to entire nail surface all the way to the edges and under the toenail at the top. It will run onto the skin around the nail, but don’t worry about that.

c. Leave mixture on for one hour minimum; ideally, apply mixture before retiring and leave it on all night while you sleep.

Second Week And Continuing

This is when you start the twice weekly level that you will continue for three months, before reducing to once a week as maintenance.

a. After washing your feet and drying thoroughly, clean under toenails as best you can.

b. Shave toenail surface with a metal file until it is as thin as a normal toenail, or as close as you can get it. You will not have to do this every time you use the mixture, just this first time to start and as needed thereafter.

c. After shaving the surface, cut and trim the nail, and file the leading edge evenly.

d. Apply Acidophilus mixture to entire nail surface all the way to the edges and under the toenail at the top. It will run onto the skin around the nail, but don’t worry about that.

e. Leave mixture on for one hour minimum; ideally, apply mixture before retiring and leave it on all night while you sleep.

SHAVING DOWN THE AFFECTED TOENAIL SURFACE

After the first week of use, the Acidophilus will have partially worked its magic. Your toes will be softer, more pliable, and easier to trim. But don’t start cutting yet.

First, use the “sharp” side of a metal nail file to shave down the surface of each affected toenail. You want it to be as thin as an unaffected toenail when you are finished. Clean the file often while you work.

If you use the Acidophilus mixture regularly twice weekly for three months, and then once a week, the fungus and its effects will stay gone. If you don’t use the mixture regularly, surface shaving can still help prevent ingrown toenails and some of the effects of the fungus. Also, shaving will decrease pain and tenderness, because by reducing the nail you are relieving the pressure on the skin bordering it.

OTHER THINGS YOU CAN DO TO HELP YOUR FEET LOOK THEIR BEST

Some spots on the foot—the outer edge of the big toe, the ball of the foot, and the heel—can get rough and scratchy. Using an emery board on these spots can quickly smooth them out. Also make sure to use a good hydrating lotion on these same areas to keep them soft and smooth.

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